Many West Ham United fans were in disbelief on social media after ExWHUemployee shared that the club had not continued transfer talks with Shane Duffy over the weekend.
The former Irons employee claims the east London side met with Brighton & Hove Albion defender Duffy on Friday to discuss a potential summer move, but failed to follow up on the talks and left the 28-year-old waiting for further communication.
A deal for Duffy to join David Moyes’ side is not currently considered to be close, despite holding multiple meetings with the Republic of Ireland international, with West Ham hopeful of sealing a loan to buy agreement.
The London Stadium outfit’s sudden silence is worrying given the club have met with Duffy multiple times and the Hammers’ need to sell before they can buy.
Stalling on a move for Duffy could soon open the door for a rival suitor to swoop, with West Bromwich Albion keen to add the Graham Potter outcast to Slaven Bilic’s ranks following their promotion from the Championship.
Burnley and Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are also understood to be locked in a battle with West Ham and the Clarets over Duffy, with Brighton informing all interested parties they must pay £2million to secure a year-long loan.
Duffy is believed to have met with representatives of West Brom and Celtic, and would be keen to join Neil Lennon’s Hoops as he is a boyhood fan of the Glasgow outfit.
West Ham fans met ExWHUemployee’s negative update on their side’s hunt for Duffy with sheer disbelief, with some mocking the club they support while others questioned how Moyes and the board spent their weekend.
Irons 🤣 https://t.co/C840R9QZUK
— West Ham Central (@WestHam_Central) August 16, 2020
Taking the weekend off instead of getting a deal done. Irons.
— westhamonline (@westhamonline1) August 16, 2020
Watch west brom get him
— Talkin West Ham (@TalkinWestHam) August 16, 2020
Board probably counting the change in their piggy banks to see if they can afford to pay him
— Gazz H (@h_gazz) August 16, 2020
Obviously
— Ricky Forrest (@rickwhufc) August 16, 2020
Did Moyes just take the weekend off?
— ⚒Nathan⚒ (@WHUNathan) August 16, 2020
The owners really don’t seem to be very good at this whole communication thing do they?
— WHUFCEddie (@WhufcE) August 16, 2020
Some West Ham fans are still at a loss to why their side are targeting Duffy, given the centre-back started just 12 of his 19 Premier League appearances this season and is likely set to leave the Amex Stadium three years before his £40,000-per-week contract expires.
What I don’t get is why Brighton would be willing to loan out one of their best defenders? And if he is surplus to requirements at a team like Brighton, why is he good enough for us? Or is the player himself trying to force a move?
— Nicky Goodchild (@dinnerman46) August 16, 2020
With rumours also circulating of interest in Manchester City’s John Stones, some West Ham fans have suggested their delay in talks with Duffy could be simply down to Moyes wanting to sign the best available centre-back target.
Personally would be happy with Duffy as he will take balls in the nuts like Ginge, but if a chance of getting Stones, would be all over that
— Dan (@Swabybaby01) August 16, 2020